Meghan Markle, the Duchess of Sussex, has once again found herself at the center of intense online debate with the release of her Netflix holiday special, With Love, Meghan: Holiday Celebration, on December 3, 2025. What was intended as a cozy, festive extension of her lifestyle series – filled with crafting, cooking, and heartfelt holiday tips – has instead ignited a wave of negative reactions, with critics and viewers accusing the former royal of overstepping by positioning herself as an authority on British Christmas traditions. The irony, many point out, is stark: Meghan, who spent less than two years as a working member of the British royal family, confidently shares customs like pulling Christmas crackers and family gatherings, all while her own family dynamics remain publicly fractured.
The special, a 56-minute standalone episode, sees Meghan in her Montecito home, decked out in festive decor, guiding celebrity guests through seasonal activities. She enthusiastically explains British staples such as handmade Christmas crackers – complete with personalized touches like love notes, scents, and toys for her children – describing them as “connected and sweet.” She shares recipes like her mother’s gumbo for Christmas Eve and crafts advent calendars filled with affirmative messages. Prince Harry makes a brief, lighthearted cameo, turning up his nose at certain dishes, adding a touch of domestic charm. Guests including tennis star Naomi Osaka, restaurateur Will Guidara, and chef Tom Colicchio join in the merriment, creating wreaths (one famously from broccoli), wrapping gifts Japanese-style, and snacking on “reindeer chow.”
Yet, from the moment it dropped, the response was swift and largely unforgiving. Social media platforms lit up with criticism, labeling the special “cringe,” “out of touch,” and “condescending.” Viewers were quick to highlight what they saw as contradictions: Meghan preaching the importance of family togetherness and traditions while, in their view, maintaining distance from her own relatives and limiting her children’s contact with their paternal grandfather, King Charles. Comments flooded in: “Teaching British Christmas after barely experiencing one royal one?” and “All about family… except her own.” The perceived hypocrisy – emphasizing connected holidays while her family situation remains complex – became a focal point, with many feeling the special’s warmth rang hollow.
Strange gestures and odd choices fueled the fire. Meghan’s overly enthusiastic explanations – like detailing cracker-pulling as a profound bonding ritual – struck some as awkward or performative. Gift ideas, such as lavender rollers for young daughters or tiny toy burgers, were mocked as eccentric or unrelatable. One viral clip showed her crafting with guests in matching pajamas, described by detractors as “forced” or “try-hard.” Critics panned the production as bland and uninspired, with reviews calling it “insipid,” “joyless,” and “tectonically tacky.” International outlets joined the chorus, branding it “unwatchable” and “nausea-inducing,” while some noted Harry’s cameo as the only redeeming, natural moment.
Meghan’s confidence in sharing “British” elements – learned during her brief time in the UK, including one Christmas at Sandringham in 2017 – drew particular ire. Detractors argued her residency was shorter than many tourists’, questioning her authority to “teach” Americans (and the world) about traditions she adopted late. “She lived in the UK less time than a weekend visitor,” one widely shared post quipped, echoing sentiments that her portrayal felt inauthentic.
Despite the backlash, the special has its defenders: some viewers found it cozy and aspirational, praising the recipes and crafts as relaxing escapism. Positive comments highlighted Meghan’s warmth and the show’s calming vibe amid a chaotic year. Yet the negative wave dominated, amplifying debates about privilege, authenticity, and celebrity lifestyle content.
This isn’t Meghan’s first brush with polarized reception for her Netflix ventures. Her lifestyle brand and previous episodes faced similar scrutiny for perceived elitism. But the Christmas timing – a season synonymous with family – sharpened the critiques, exposing what many see as emptiness behind the polished facade.
As views accumulate and discussions rage, With Love, Meghan: Holiday Celebration has become more than a festive special: it’s a Rorschach test for public opinion on the Duchess. For supporters, it’s harmless holiday cheer; for critics, a reminder of contradictions. In the end, the small details – a cracker here, a family reference there – have fueled big conversations, proving Meghan remains a lightning rod in cultural discourse.
